BMR Suspension New Product Release - Lower Control Arm Spherical Bearing Kit - BK055

[mtb5020]

Just a heads up ladies and gents, these will be going up in price Q1 next year.

I highly suggest getting these at the current price level, as they are the best design for the money, available.

Once the price rises, we are going to introduce our "econo" version with lesser design features to match the market's offerings (other than our BK055) at around the $165 - $170 price point.

Thanks to all of you who have chosen these pieces for your S550's thus far!

Any limit on how many we can purchase?

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[BMR Tech]

Any limit on how many we can purchase?

lol!

Nope.

You can order as many as your little heart desires. :lol:

This kit is going to rise above $250 in February - and we will then have a lesser quality design in the $150 range.

 

[Jmeo]

BMR Suspension New Product Release - Lower Control Arm Spherical Bearing Kit ...

Kelly,

I noticed there are some now available from Steeda. Theirs look a lot like the FFRP design toe/knuckle bearing. How do the BK055 compare to that style that are just a one piece press in design?

 

[TwinReverb]

Kelly,

I ordered a BK055 kit. What size diameter do we need to press the factory bushing out. I ordered these and plan on pressing out the factory bushings and installing BK055 on Christmas day.

 

[BMR Tech]

Kelly,

I noticed there are some now available from Steeda. Theirs look a lot like the FFRP design toe/knuckle bearing. How do the BK055 compare to that style that are just a one piece press in design?

Good question Jmeo. First thing is, our product does not come like the pic above. We do the assembly here. So, it is really no different installing ours than the other designs - press in, secure the lock ring and go.

The lower priced units we will offer, will be similar to the press fit "only" designs.

The difference in our BK055 at this point, from what I see, would be as follows:

-BK055 technically utilizes a "one-piece" press fit design, with a shoulder on one side and a lock ring on the opposing end.
This makes the installation impossible to mess up. You press the piece in until the shoulder bottoms out, and you are done and the part is centered. It also has the snap ring, "just in case" the press fit were to ever lose tolerance (which is unlikely, but you can never count those things out) - but you can never be too safe.

With the "FRPP Style" as you mention, you just press it in and it is up to you to ensure the part is right where it needs to be. While this is not difficult, it surely is not as easy as our design.

-BK055 features a 1" FK Bearing, that we feel is the highest quality part of it's kind.
I am not 100% sure what the other offerings use for a bearing, but hopefully it is 1" and preferably made in the U.S.A.

Larger spherical bearings are typically better in every way, in an application like this. They are quieter, and they last longer. The design to use a larger bearing generally ends up being better for articulation characteristics as well.

-BK055 features extremely high quality bearing spacers CNC machined from 7075 Aluminum, and Anodized in a beautiful black finish.
They are CNC Machined from 7075 Aluminum for accuracy and strength, and anodized in a beautiful black finish for maximized looks and corrosion resistance.

These spacers also include our "More Surface" design. Simply explained, the larger you make the surface area of the bearing spacers (the portion that mounts to the metal cradle) the better the part maintains position, and the less chance of putting increased shear loads on the mounting bolts. (and the part is less prone to causing clunking noises) In other words, the part stays in position better with a larger surface area mounting flange. Taking advantage of maximized surface area is something that we feel that many companies overlook with their designs, when trying to save money on the cost to make a product. It is also why many of our products work better than the others. A good example would be our BK048 Delrin Cradle Bushings....they feature much more surface area to the mounting of the top flange to the chassis of the car than the FRPP Kit - which helps keep the cradle in place better, and helps lessen damaging loads to the cradle mounting bolts.

*To touch on that further, OEM uses a specific/unique sleeve design that has protrusions on the mounting edges on the sleeves. These help "lock down" the sleeve in place and prevent the part from slipping in the mounting point.

Check it out:

Since we are not maintaining those small protrusions, we go to the "More Surface" area ends, to ensure the part stays put.




At the end of the day, these kits from any company are going to all perform very similarly. There are always going to be people out there who want the best - and we have, for years, done our best to cater to the people on both ends of the spectrum. This is why you will see that we offer so many parts (multiple options for one component)

Hope that helps!

 

[Jmeo]

Good question Jmeo. First thing is, our product does not come like the pic above. We do the assembly here. So, it is really no different installing ours than the other designs - press in, secure the lock ring and go.

The lower priced units we will offer, will be similar to the press fit "only" designs.

The difference in our BK055 at this point, from what I see, would be as follows:

-BK055 technically utilizes a "one-piece" press fit design, with a shoulder on one side and a lock ring on the opposing end.
This makes the installation impossible to mess up. You press the piece in until the shoulder bottoms out, and you are done and the part is centered. It also has the snap ring, "just in case" the press fit were to ever lose tolerance (which is unlikely, but you can never count those things out) - but you can never be too safe.

With the "FRPP Style" as you mention, you just press it in and it is up to you to ensure the part is right where it needs to be. While this is not difficult, it surely is not as easy as our design.

-BK055 features a 1" FK Bearing, that we feel is the highest quality part of it's kind.
I am not 100% sure what the other offerings use for a bearing, but hopefully it is 1" and preferably made in the U.S.A.

Larger spherical bearings are typically better in every way, in an application like this. They are quieter, and they last longer. The design to use a larger bearing generally ends up being better for articulation characteristics as well.

-BK055 features extremely high quality bearing spacers CNC machined from 7075 Aluminum, and Anodized in a beautiful black finish.
They are CNC Machined from 7075 Aluminum for accuracy and strength, and anodized in a beautiful black finish for maximized looks and corrosion resistance.

These spacers also include our "More Surface" design. Simply explained, the larger you make the surface area of the bearing spacers (the portion that mounts to the metal cradle) the better the part maintains position, and the less chance of putting increased shear loads on the mounting bolts. (and the part is less prone to causing clunking noises) In other words, the part stays in position better with a larger surface area mounting flange. Taking advantage of maximized surface area is something that we feel that many companies overlook with their designs, when trying to save money on the cost to make a product. It is also why many of our products work better than the others. A good example would be our BK048 Delrin Cradle Bushings....they feature much more surface area to the mounting of the top flange to the chassis of the car than the FRPP Kit - which helps keep the cradle in place better, and helps lessen damaging loads to the cradle mounting bolts.

*To touch on that further, OEM uses a specific/unique sleeve design that has protrusions on the mounting edges on the sleeves. These help "lock down" the sleeve in place and prevent the part from slipping in the mounting point.

Check it out:

Since we are not maintaining those small protrusions, we go to the "More Surface" area ends, to ensure the part stays put.




At the end of the day, these kits from any company are going to all perform very similarly. There are always going to be people out there who want the best - and we have, for years, done our best to cater to the people on both ends of the spectrum. This is why you will see that we offer so many parts (multiple options for one component)

Hope that helps!

Meh, coulda been a little more descriptive ;)

 

[leszek]

Would you ever consider offering bushing inserts (similar to BK053) for the LCA bushing as a low cost/easy install alternative?

 

[BlackS550]

I didn't see this answered yet.

Stiffer springs generally need firmer damping on rebound to keep the spring from making the suspension "overshoot" too far (can give a 'floaty-feeling' ride) or too fast (can accelerate adverse fluid effects inside the shock/strut, think lifespan here).

When you do run firmer springs without changing out the OE shocks and struts, some aspects of ride quality can improve, but tire grip will take a hit. With as few numbers as I can get away with using, ride quality (by one measure) tends to be optimum when shock damping is around 15% (give or take a few %) of something called 'critical damping'. Best performance happens out more toward 50%, again give/take a bit. Critical damping itself is tied to the spring rate, where the spring does not overshoot at all when recovering from a bump or similar disturbance, with a 300 lb/in spring obviously needing more damping than a 200 lb/in spring would need in the same car.


Be aware that ABS and AdvanceTrak (at least) were calibrated based on certain assumptions regarding suspension condition/behavior and tire grip, and you do want to maintain at least comparable capabilities. The repair industry is finally being made aware of this, perhaps mainly as a potential revenue stream. But there is solid technical reasoning behind it.


Norm

very helpful, thank you.
it would be nice if the aftermarket spring manufacturers had more information on their affects on the OEM shocks on their product pages. I think I'll hang on to my PP oem shocks until I notice any degradation in ride quality related to them specifically (i.e the floaty-ness or just normal wear/tear over time).

As for tire grip, I have to think its the P0 causing most of my issues there

 

[Norm Peterson]

very helpful, thank you.
it would be nice if the aftermarket spring manufacturers had more information on their affects on the OEM shocks on their product pages. I think I'll hang on to my PP oem shocks until I notice any degradation in ride quality related to them specifically (i.e the floaty-ness or just normal wear/tear over time).

As for tire grip, I have to think its the P0 causing most of my issues there

Even P-zeros will benefit from better damping of the springs, which are virtually always in the process of extending or compressing. The tires will set the ultimate limit; how close you can get to it will depend on shock/strut damping assuming that everything else is held constant.


Norm

 

[Coaster]

Kelly -

Any more info on the BRT001? Approx cost?

I'd like to get in on these before the price increase, I'm just not sure where I'd get the bushing changed at. I'd rather do it myself.

 

[Socalmustang]

So I've been looking at suspension parts to buy...are those shipping prices a typo?

To ship here to Cali, its $60+

WTH?

 

[Dramad1]

Kelly -

Any more info on the BRT001? Approx cost?

I'd like to get in on these before the price increase, I'm just not sure where I'd get the bushing changed at. I'd rather do it myself.

Same here, I'd be nice to just do it at the house while Installing other goodies.

Will bmr be offering any x mass sales in the next few weeks?

 

[BMR Tech]

So I've been looking at suspension parts to buy...are those shipping prices a typo?

To ship here to Cali, its $60+

WTH?

You can use our eBay store and get free shipping. Also, I think most of our dealers offer free shipping as well.

If you have no luck, call the office and ask for Dylan. Tell him you talked to me and I said to give you free shipping.

I am in Indy right now at the PRI show.

Enjoy!

Same here, I'd be nice to just do it at the house while Installing other goodies.

Will bmr be offering any x mass sales in the next few weeks?

We always have a great sale around Christmas time. :cheers:

 

[Jmeo]

I am in Indy right now at the PRI show.

Hope your having fun but when are you going to be back in the office I have a question for ya?

Don't do anything I wouldn't out there

 

[zuki_dan]

Just received my LCA bearings. These things are surprisingly heavy and look to be a very high quality. Now just to find a tool to press them in and old ones out.

Any suggestions Kelly on replacing the factory bushings?

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